70% of Portland Riot Charges Dropped By Portland’s DA

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In a recent online tracking dashboard, the Multnomah District Attorney’s office has declined to file charges in nearly 70% of the Portland protest-related cases. The Portland Police had referred almost 1,000 cases to prosecutors who have so far fielded 974 criminal cases against people in the ongoing riots. 

The prosecutors dropped 666 of them without filing charges, issued charges in 95 felony and 33 misdemeanor cases, and another 182 cases remain under review. They have decided to drop all charges in at least 22 of these cases, some that have included allegations of riot, burglary, and unlawful use of a weapon. 

“Transparency in the work we do is a keystone to my administration. Moving this data online for the community to easily use will have a significant impact on understanding cases that arise from mass demonstrations. I promised during my campaign that I take a smarter approach to justice. That work continues with the launch of this dashboard. I am committed to launching future dashboards and other public-facing programs that will support data-driven and transparent decision making,” progressive District Attorney Mike Schmidt read.

However, this shouldn’t come as a shock. Back in August, Mike Schmidt had declared that his office would decline to press charges against protesters and rioters participating in Portland riots. He explained that this would cause irreparable harm to individuals and to society. 

In a recent statement, Schmidt explained that his office would not prosecute for the following crimes: Interfering with a peace officer or parole and probation officer, disorderly conduct in the second degree, criminal trespass in the first and second degree, escape in the third degree, harassment, and riot. 

“I am disgusted that our city has come to this,” said Portland Police Association president Daryl Turner. 

This statement was shortly after the U.S Marshals Service deputized 56 Portland police officers and 22 Multnomah County sheriff’s deputies after Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency. 

However, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer announced new legislation on Oct. 8 that would limit the authority of the U.S Marshals Service when deputizing local police officers. This will allow federal prosecutors to charge allegations of assault on a federal officer to anyone who attacks officers. 

The “peaceful protests” turning into riots must stop. There needs to be consequences and it shouldn’t be surprising for people to find out that it is illegal to assault a law enforcement officer in all jurisdictions, including local and state. It’s time that the radical left is held accountable for their actions, instead of being arrested and then shortly released on bail. 

Time to take some of this law and order up to Seattle as well.